By Regan Hoerl
SC Staff Writer
Facebook is the new wave of social media revolution. These days, grandmothers, cousins of cousins, friends from social engagements, and everyone in between all are logging in daily to check their news feeds and post new statuses.
Unfortunately, social media has become a prime deciding factor in the new job market.
Most jobs will review Facebook to establish whether someone is eligible or not eligible for a new internship or full-time position at their company.
In addition, many professors from ESU also have Facebooks, leaving students feeling even more pressure to keep a professional and appropriate demeanor on social media.
Is it appropriate for professors to be glancing at students’ photo albums and status updates?
My answer is yes, but only at the student’s discretion.
I’m not going to lie; I’m friends with at least 6 of my professors from ESU on Facebook, and it is neither here nor there.
I will still post my opinions and feelings and crack inappropriate jokes online. I just hope that professors don’t take them the wrong way.
However, my grades in classes with these professors are not a reflection of the person I am outside of class.
My professors are friends with me on Facebook because, after having most of these professors for two or more classes, we’ve cultivated a strong bond that will last after I graduate this December.
Some would argue that professors and students being friends on Facebook while students are still attending the institution is a conflict of interest.
My argument is: How? I’ve never bargained with a professor through Facebook to give me an extension on a paper nor have I attended any event outside of ESU with a professor that was not class-/ internship-related.
The benefit of being friends with my professors is that I can have informal discussions about authors and topics we’ve discussed in class.
If I post about a conflict through a status, a professor can post a quote about Emerson to explain his side of the opinion.
The bottom line is that if students feel uncomfortable with professors being able to visit their Facebook pages, they should’ve never accepted or sent that friend request.
It is your right to privacy; therefore, being friends with a professor is under your own discretion.
I make sure to not post drunken photos from the weekend, because I don’t want them on the Internet at all.
My professors viewing my profile is the least of my concerns, and it does not affect the way that I portray myself on the Internet.
Email Regan at:
rhoerl@live.esu.edu
